Published April 7, 2021
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s The Decision to Run Report set out to uncover the barriers and motivators for LGBTQ+ women who want to run for office. The findings — a result of an extensive survey of nearly 290 LGBTQ+ women as well as four focus groups — show six common barriers and four motivators mentioned by respondents. It is a first glance – not a comprehensive account – of the challenges LGBTQ+ women encounter. Yet it can be a guide for equality organizations, campaign training organizations and candidate recruitment programs that believe in the importance of representation for LGBTQ+ women, as well as a starting point for future research.